OMEGNA, ITALY (1995)
This international school, containing classrooms, administrative offices, auditoriums, gymnasium, two restaurants, a bar, and a training kitchen, is located in Omegna, Italy, at the top of a mountain peak on the northern tip of Lake d’Orta. It is oriented to take maximum advantage of views of the water and the beautiful mountain ridges which frame the southern tip of the lake. The only portion of the building complex visible from the city is a tall, circular observation tower which points in the direction of the lake and appears as an inviting landmark from the city below. This tower marks the public entry to the school. Visitors approach from the northern ridge of the site, and only upon entering the tower do they suddenly perceive the spectacular view of the lake beyond. From this entry/reception area, visitors then descend to either the classrooms to the north or the dining facilities to the south. Residential units step gently downward in successive terraces following the natural contours of the site, so that all units have lake views and private gardens, without being visible from one another.
